Campers Outstay their Welcome

February 19, 2013

There has been a lot of dispute in the UK lately about wild camping and camping on public land, and there have been some very well publicised cases about campers outstaying their welcome in certain areas of the country. These cases are often surrounded by tricky legal debate and often are very highly charged. However, as a campervan or motorhome owner, it’s important to know the laws and when enough is enough you need to move on. Where do you stand if you’re asked to leave a public area?

The Law is the Law

If you break the law and are proven to have done so, your motorhome insurance is going to be very unlikely to help you out. You need to know the law wherever you are camping and if, for example, camping is prohibited on public land, you need to respect that. Sometimes the law is unclear, but if you know you are deliberately in breach of it you can expect the full consequences.

Wild Camping

It’s a lot less clear cut in areas where wild camping is popular and, in theory, camping shouldn’t be a problem in these areas. It’s important to remember that there is no absolute right to be allowed to camp on certain land and if you are asked to move on by residents or the police then it’s usually best to respect their wishes. Plus, much of the excitement of wild camping stems from moving around so why not explore!

Local Etiquette

Sometimes debates just come to a disagreement where both sides think they’re right and that’s the end of it. Unfortunately, these cases don’t often end well, so make sure even if you reach this situation you’re respectful to local residents. You may disagree with what they’re saying, but it’s not etiquette in the UK to camp for more than a few nights in any one place: particularly if it obstructs local life. Be respectful and when you want to return there will be no problems.

Outstaying your welcome is a danger for campers in the UK but thankfully it’s only the small majority of cases that end up being taken further. Always keep the law in mind but even if you think you’re absolutely in the right it never hurts to keep polite and respect the unspoken codes of practice.